Gov. Laura Kelly has once again vetoed a legislative proposal for broad tax cuts, the third veto this year. Her action Thursday all but guarantees a special session to be called as the legislature and governor continue to work toward a compromise.
The plans included cutting income, sales and property taxes by a total of $1.45 billion or more over the next three years. Prior to Thursday’s announcement, the Manhattan Area Chamber of Commerce hosted Manhattan area lawmakers who weighed in on the session’s biggest debate this year.
State Senator Usha Reddi says the fundamental disagreement on the bipartisan tax plan is the income tax brackets.
“We’ve reduced it to one bracket, that didn’t go over very well. Then it went to two, that didn’t go over very well. But I think the three tiered (system), I think we’re going to come to a consensus,” she said.
51st district State Rep. Kenny Titus says he’s less than optimistic a compromise is achievable.
“The plans are affordable, the governor vetoed the first one because she said it’s not affordable. We come back, trim off like $130 million off of that, another bipartisan plan, still not exactly what the governor wants so she won’t approve it,” he said. “I don’t know how much more compromise she’s expecting.”
66th District State Rep. Sydney Carlin says she supports Gov. Laura Kelly’s efforts to pass fiscally responsible tax legislation.
“We’re $35 million off from the budget number she gave us. Now I voted for these bills, thinking that they were close, but I didn’t have the perspective that the governor has and I believe she’s doing the very best thing,” Carlin said.
67th District State Rep. Mike Dodson initially opposed the first tax plan but voted for the second plan because he says it provided property tax relief. On Thursday he expressed frustration over the entire process this session.
“One of the issues is that the citizens asked for property tax relief. Guess what was rolled out? Single rate tax,” he said. “We’ve got a fundamental problem.”
The Legislature adjourned on May 1 and therefore cannot override her veto. Gov. Kelly said Thursday she will announce plans next week for a special session at a yet to be determined date.
Other topics addressed at Thursday’s forum included the legislature punting again on Medicaid expansion and took questions from audience members on the potential of Kansas trying to lure the Chiefs and Royals across the state lines.
